Bio of Princes Francis and Edmonde

I know, I know. It took  me forever. But - now I have remembered, and character interviews are back (finally)! And, since in the votes from the last interview, nobody could decide whether to have Prince Francis or Prince Edmonde from The Clarion Call (previously Alagna), I will do what I always do with them and put them together. After all, they're almost twins, as is frequently remarked by a few of the other characters.
Ask them questions in the comments, and soon, I shall put up an interview. So, that being said, without further ado, the rather short and uneventful bios of Francis and Edmonde.

***

Name: Prince Francis of Tresinta                           Name: Prince Edmond of Tresinta

Age: 19                                                                   Age: 17 (in the very beginning of the story, that is)

Nationality: Tresintan                                            Nationality: Tresintan

Height: 6'3                                                              Height: 6'2 1/2  

Hair Color: Honey-ish blonde.                              Hair Color: Honey-ish brown.

Eye Color: Deep blue.                                            Eye Color: Emerald green.

Title(s): Prince.                                                       Title(s): Prince.

 Family: Just their older brother, Blakely, their widowed mother, and the various distant noble cousins that the royal family has, including Philip Arraden, a young advisor to the throne.

Bio: Prince Francis was born in the capital of Tresinta, to Queen Gianni and King Percival II, when Blakely was almost three. A few months before Francis' second birthday, Edmond was born, and, perhaps due to their small age gap, and perhaps due to their similar characters, they were immediately like two peas in a pod. Quite inseparable, oftentimes, because of this, they would 'gang up' against Blakely for various pranks or such nonsense.

Besides, Blakely had his little friend, Alagna, so he didn't need those two (not that they didn't come and pester him anyways, of course). All three were good friends, but the 'almost twins,' as Francis and Edmond came to be called, were more. They always liked Alagna well enough, but could perceive quite easily Blakely's little boyish affections for her, and teased him about it frequently. They have no doubt that the two will end up together even at the beginning of the story, and have always made it clear. And they would certainly like to have Alagna as a sister, which they have also made clear.

Being princes, their childhood was charmed and rather uneventful, and so was, up to the beginning of the story, their youth. There is little to tell as to their separate characters, because they are very similar in most respects. They always enjoyed mischief, and in particular good-naturedly peeving Blakely. They have always been extremely fond and protective of their mother, Queen Gianna, and perhaps rather ever-so-slightly Mama's boys. Neither of them have any particular lady, though both are fairly popular among the court despite their attempts to keep out of good opinion.

Up to the beginning of the story, they are quite comfortable and have very little to worry about in life aside from not getting disowned for dumping wine over their older brother's head.

Doesn't really look like them, but it matched the one up there, so I had to use it, of course. :)

What did you think? What are your thoughts on the twosome? Do you have any questions for them? Post questions in the comments, and I'll have these two answer in an interview soon! Also, I shall be on hiatus during July due to Camp NaNo. See you in August!



Interview of Prince Blakely

I know I've been really bad about posting lately, but I hope to remedy that in the near future, and I hope you can forgive me. :) In the meantime, I shall post this so that the blog at least has something up until I can gather up more posts. I'm interviewing Blakely today, the crown prince and best friend of the heroine from my Action/Adventure book, Alagna. His bio can be found here (the questions were taken from the comments there), and the previous interview, of Alagna herself, can be found here. I hope you enjoy! :)

***

Belle. *enters interview room, where Blakely is reading* Hey, Blakely, do you mind if I ask you some questions?

Blakely. *glances up from his book and then puts it down* Feel free, my lady.

Belle. Alright, the first questions - hey, you've never been interviewed before, why aren't you asking why or what's going on?

Blakely. *smiles a little absent-mindedly* I did rather wonder...

Belle. *rolls eyes* Typical. You could be being led to your death and you would just wonder. Anyways, though, the reasons for it are so I can get to know you better and so my audience can do likewise. And what's happening is just me asking you stuff to accomplish that.

Blakely. *nods thoughtfully* Of course.

Belle. Good. Now, these beginning questions are from Catherine, the first one being what is your favorite hobby?

Blakely. *rests chin on hand* Reading, maybe. Hunting and riding are also pleasant activities.

Belle. Yeah... Any more elaboration?

Blakely. *smiles* Not really - I suppose walking about the grounds is another favorite pastime, but I really can't think of many things in the realm of favorites specifically.

Belle. Alright, what are your life goals?

Blakely. *becomes quiet for a little while, then finally speaks very carefully* Defending the kingdom, helping my mother... finding my path in life. I think that makes it.

Belle. And said path in life wouldn't happen to include any special... girl, would it?

Blakely. *smiles a bit* That's for God to decide, my lady.

Belle. *frowns in frustration at not being able to catch him* Yes, I suppose it is. The next questions are from Megan - you remember her, right? She's interviewed a few of you guys.

Blakely. *nods* Yes, I do.

Belle. Well, her first question is what might make you lose your temper to the point of punching someone?

Blakely. *laughs a bit* I can't say that I've ever had the experience, that I can remember. Well, at least to the point of punching someone... But, then... *jaw stiffens slightly, but he remains silent*

Belle. *shakes head* But then...?

Blakely. I know I oft have to dispel the thought of punching someone... *smiles a tad embarrassedly* Although I think Francis and Edmonde don't even try to dispel the thought.

Belle. Roanwall?

Blakely. *sighs, slightly ashamedly* Indeed.

Belle. Well, that's okay - I want to punch him too most of the time. Now, if you had to choose a cause to die for, what would it be?

Blakely. *furrows brow and frowns slightly* Not an unlikely choice to make, I'm afraid. With things the way they've been slowly becoming, I fear that things may escalate to such a degree. I... *pauses a moment* I already know of an attempt on my own life being planned... Alagna knows, but... I don't want to worry her by telling her how serious it is.

Belle. You know, though, she'd probably be mad once she found out you'd kept it from her.

Blakely. *frowns* Do you think so? I do not want to anger her either... But she gets, well, perhaps a bit - *hesitates cautiously*

Belle. *laughs* flustered? Like a chicken with its head cut off?

Blakely. *raises brow slightly at this latter expression*

Belle. *laughs more* Just an expression, Blakely. Anyways, though, you still haven't answered the question.

Blakely. *nods thoughtfully* Well... The kingdom would be worth it - even one life would be worth it, I think... but I suppose that's not a very specific answer.

Belle. *rolls eyes* It's fine, Blakely. I'm gonna be here all day with the time you take to answer stuff. Now - the next question. Has Alagna ever made you angry? Embarrassed? Disgusted?

Blakely. *raises brow slightly* Usually I'm the one who makes her angry. I don't remember any particular time when I have even been so much as irritated by her... Same case for disgust. As for embarrassment... *half-smiles* Well, let's just say, our characters being quite contrasted, I have been at least internally embarrassed by her a good few times... though not ashamed of her so much as befuddled by her.

Belle. I can easily believe that. Now, do you have a really amusing story about your brothers to tell?

Blakely. *groans smilingly and puts head in hands* Take your pick, my lady - there are many a score to choose from. The fools... *shakes head amusedly*

Belle. *nods sarcastically* Yep. Totally fools... and you're totally not, right? Never associate with them, huh?

Blakely. *breaks a larger smile* I think, my lady, you have me riddled. However, as to your former question, I have plenty of stories of them. One in particular comes to mind, actually. Once, at Francis' - or Edmonde's, I don't remember - birthday celebration, after the feast, the two of them planned an untimely prank upon me. The servants had not yet finished removing the food from the table, so a partial cauldron of stew sat there, waiting to be taken back for the servants. They planned to wait until I came in the banquet room and pour it on me - so Edmonde waited inside with the cauldron for Francis' outside signal. However... apparently, they did not plan particularly well, because when Francis gave the signal that I was coming, Edmonde thought it meant I was to be the next person entering the banquet room. However, Francis came before me to see the prank firsthand, and so got the stew bequeathed upon him instead. I then entered, and they laughed because it had gone horrendously wrong. *laughs a little* I... couldn't help laughing with them, I admit, for it wasn't hard to guess what had happened. *shakes head* Those two were always - and are always - favoring me as their subject for pranks. *smiles slightly* However, thankfully, their jokes no longer consist of cascading soup on people.

Belle. *laughs* I wouldn't be so sure of that...

Blakely. *raises brow with a slight smile* I shall take that as a warning to be cautious around banquet room doorways, my lady.

Belle. *nods* Yes, I think that's a good call. Anyways, though, the next question is in order. What do you admire most about your mother?

Blakely. *smiles gently* She is a mother - what more is there? She is my mother - what more is there to me? I think what I admire most about her is what she has been for us... *becomes slightly more serious* I would never be anywhere near what I am without her guidance... or her love. She is the dearest person upon this earth to me - I have never known a better ruler or parent.

Belle. She's definitely something. But I think it goes both ways - she wouldn't be what she is without you either.

Blakely. *bows head* I wouldn't know - but I am grateful for her.

Belle. Good! - you're luckier than most of my characters. Most of them don't have their mothers still or are adults and so have to fend for themselves far away from their mothers. Why, if Feo still had his mother like you do, then maybe he would have never become a ne'er-do-well vagabond.

Blakely. *looks slightly concerned* This is a sad thing - why did you not let him have his mother if he needed her so?

Belle. *waves hands dismissively* Eh, it'll make him grow. Now, next question - are you ever afraid of the amount of responsibility you have? What about the responsibility you will have eventually?

Blakely. *nods* I am - but no being ever lived without responsibility, and none ever shall, so it is inevitable. *sighs* But, yes, it is one of the things on my mind most often...

Belle. What are some things you're afraid of?

Blakely. *smiles a little* Well - my responsibility - what is happening in the kingdom... *goes a bit quieter* I am afraid, though, of losing someone. I have a subtle feeling within me somehow that someone - someone close to me, like Alagna or my mother - won't be here when this is all over...

Belle. *shifts uncomfortably* Um, yeah... Uh, anyways, though, passing over that, last question from Lucy... and, I think, the last question. What are some things that make you happy?

Blakely. *smiles* Being with Alagna.

Belle. *laughs* You really have absolutely no wish to even try to hide it - you are really stuck on her!

Blakely. *smiles a little sheepishly* Perhaps... but if I were, why would I hide it?

Belle. *shakes head smilingly* Well, that's the end of the questions. Thanks for cooperating, Blakely!

Blakely. *bows* 'Twas my honor, my lady. *leaves*

End Interview

What did you think of Blakely? Did you enjoy the interview? Do you have any characters he would get along with?

The next interview will be - depending on votes - either

Prince Francis and/or Prince Edmonde, Blakely's younger brothers (votes will decide whether they will be separate or together)

Lady Felicia Ellmonte, Alagna's cousin and friend

Alexander Arleine, Alagna's tenacious cousin and Felicia's younger brother

Vote in the comments and I'll post a bio for the winner soon! :D





Bio of Prince Blakely

Finally! Something other than story snippets! ;)
When Alagna (from her as of yet self-titled book, here) was interviewed a week or two back, getting the interview chain up and running again (ugh, what a horrendous mixing of metaphors), the candidates for the next interview were these:

Prince Blakely, Alagna's best friend;

Lady Felicia Elmonte, Alagna's cousin;

Prince Francis and/or Prince Edmonde, Alagna's other friends, and Blakely's younger brothers.

And, as a two-to-one vote cast, it seems that Blakely has won out. :) So I'm posting his bio here. Ask any questions for him in the comments, and I will ask them of him in a little while when I post the interview. :) I hope you like him!

***

Name: Prince Blakely of.... don't ask the country's name, I don't know yet. :P

Age: 22.

Nationality: He's the prince of the country I have been calling 'Homeland' when I reference this story, but the country has no actual name difortunamente... :P However. Due to certain details, you may have reason to believe (as I do) that the country is Tresinta, which is the main country in my other Action/Adventure novel, Alomina, as well, though many years after Mina and Percy.

Height: 6'4

Hair Color: Blonde, blonde, blonde, blonde - think honey-blonde.

Eye Color: Deep blue.

Title(s): Prince; Crown Prince (and there's another one by the end of the story, but I won't give that one away...). ;)

Family: His father is deceased, but his widowed mother, Queen Gianna, is still living. He has two younger brothers - Francis, who is not quite three years younger than him, and Edmonde, who is four years younger than him. Other than that he only really has very distant cousins and such among the nobles, the closest one being Philip Arraden, a prodigy advisor to the throne.

Bio: Prince Blakely was born in Castle Ethelire in Homeland's capital, to Queen Gianna and King Percival II. The firstborn, he was named Crown Prince, and heir to the throne, and he has always done his best to live up to that title. When he was young, it was the time what many nobles called 'The Arleine Line,' due to the Arleine family being particularly powerful and close with the royal family at that time; Lord Gerard Arleine was royal advisor, Lady Helen Arleine was the queen's best friend, and Lord Freyand Arleine was in charge of the king's elite garrison of knights. It was no surprise, then, that Gerard Arleine's granddaughter (by his son, Theodore, who was Freyand's younger brother) was a common playmate of Blakely's by time he was six years of age. It didn't take long for them to become best friends, particularly considering Blakely was always of a quieter nature, and did not make friends by the dozen, as Alagna even from that young age did. So his early attachment to Alagna led to her being really his only very, very close friend in his life, really, though he did have friendship with his brothers.

The 'almost twins,' as Francis and Edmonde were called, often said Blakely was a worrywart - a sentiment which Alagna too voiced - and perhaps this was so for a time. Blakely was always the kind to take his duties more seriously - he never really complained or hyperventilated, but Alagna and his brothers could always tell when he was worried. Being of a quiet nature, Blakely was never one to voice concerns, but always preferred to listen, which was good for Alagna, as she was always the more talkative, social one.

Blakely already had taken on much responsibility by his fourteenth birthday, due to the disappearance and death of his father at the hand of bandits when Blakely was nine. But this suited Blakely - he always worked well with responsibility because it was fulfilling to his thoughtful nature.

For quite a few years before and up to the story, Blakely had rather a fancy for Alagna, but being quiet and respectful of their friendship as well as its small nature, Blakely kept it to himself for a while... if rather badly. Alagna knows full well of this fancy, and Blakely knows she knows, but it doesn't really stand between them at all. Blakely just treats her better than other ladies, and she just accepts his gifts with a smile and teases him sometimes. Their friendship really hasn't suffered any damage throughout the years, which is not the case for most boy-girl friendships, so it's really rather astonishing.

Up to the beginning of the story, Blakely is a great advisor and aid to his mother - who is a widowed queen in prosperous but quickly hardening times. There is absolutely no trouble in the illustrious kingdom up to the beginning of the story, but when trouble does come, Blakely is his mother's greatest crutch.

All of the princes are immensely fond of their mother, the 'almost twins' particularly so (call them "Mama's Boys" all you want - they probably wouldn't deny it!). They all sort-of dote upon her, and are rather protective. You see, Duke Roanwall, a noble in the court who attempts to advise the queen, fancies the queen himself and often makes attempts at courting her... but the princes all despise him. And so, if they're around, they stick to their mother like glue to paper, and basically do anything short of telling him to scram. And they show no particular respect to Roanwall, I can tell you, except perhaps Blakely, who is perhaps a tad less inclined to be outwardly rude than Francis and Edmonde are. But even Blakely is only as civil as is required humanly - Roanwall is rather a fop, and Queen Gianni really doesn't care for him in any such way, so the princes have all the more reason to want to pummel the guy whenever he comes around (though, thankfully none of them do - if even one of them did, Roanwall might not be recovering anytime soon).

I think that's really all that's been going on in Blakely's life up to the points of the story - his mother's droll suitor, his socialite best friend, and a grand kingdom that Blakely takes care of, filled with - so far - nothing but prosperity. That is, until the story starts...

***

What did you think? Do you like Blakely? What do you think of his current state? Any questions for him? Again, ask him anything you like in the comments, and he'll answer the questions in an interview soon. :)



Interview of Alagna Arleine

Alagna's bio can be found here. The introduction to her story can be found here. The questions were given at this post here. I hope you enjoy it! :)

***

Me. *enters interview room and turns to Alagna* Alagna, can I ask you some questions today?






Alagna. *raises brow in question* Ask me questions?

Me. *nods* For an interview.

Alagna. *frowns slightly* Yes. But please keep it quick, there are things I would like to do.

Me. *dryly* Like sneaking around ballrooms, spying on people, and other general nosiness and

busybody-ing...?

Alagna. *blushes slightly, but ignores it* No. Like finding that man in the mask.




Me. Yes, so exactly what I said.






Alagna. No, this is -






Me. How's about we get on with the questions, Alagna? These first ones are from Mary Katherine.
Firstly, what is your favorite dessert?






Alagna. I don't know. Something rich and chocolate. Something elegant or difficult.






Me. So... maybe red velvet cake...?

Alagna. *nods slightly in approval* Yes.






Me. Now, if you lived in current times, what movie or musical would you enjoy? Hmm. Actually, I may have to answer this one, as you have no idea what I'm even talking about.






Alagna. What are you talking about..?






Me. Never you mind. They're a form of music or entertainment we enjoy nowadays... sort-of. But I think you would probably enjoy ones with more rich, classical entrenchment. Probably would enjoy The Phantom of the Opera as far as musicals go... at least until you heard the plot. As for movies, you'd probably like Gone With The Wind... again, excepting the plot. Basically just things that are particularly rich in culture. I think your favorite movies, though, would probably be mystery movies, oddly enough. You like figuring things out and being nosy so much, you'd probably love them. You'd probably like Miss Marple.






Alagna. *lightly* I still have no notion of what those are.






Me. *shakes head* Ask Amy and Alejandro sometime, they're always bringing movies with them in here. Anyways, though, what's your favorite color?






Alagna. To wear or at all?






Me. Um, both, I guess.






Alagna. To wear, gold. At all, claret red. *frowns slightly* I would wear it as much as gold, but... *glances disapprovingly at her hair*






Me. Well, I'm not changing it, if that's what you're implying. Come on, you're my only even relatively red-headed heroine. Definitely not changing it.






Alagna. *smooths skirts nonchalantly* I wasn't asking it. But you may go on with the questions.

Me. Alright, do you have any hobbies?






Alagna. *inclines head* I do.  I play the harpsichord, lyre, harp, organ, and I sing.






Me. So mostly music.






Alagna. Yes. Mostly music, but I also read a bit.






Me. Alright, these are from Blue. What's your earliest childhood memory?






Alagna. *cocks head* I think when I went to the palace as a little girl, for a party my parents were going to. I was, I don't know, perhaps four years of age? But I spoke with Blakely and his brothers there, and I remember it distinctly because Francis was following their mother around, wanting to hold baby Edmond. *smiles* I don't think those two have ever tolerated being parted. *laughs* Even my earliest memories are of balls and grandeur, it seems! I'm afraid I know very little of any other world.






Me. Well... you will... *clears throat* Anyways, what is your most prized possession?






Alagna. Easily spoken. A book of songs and old ballads that Blakely gifted to me for my last birthday. It is old, but I love the old songs. They are so - I don't know - they just have a beauty, and a mystery to them like nothing else I know... *laughs a little* But they're old enough that I can scarcely read the music to sing them!








Me. Do you have any unusual talents?

Alagna. *raises eyebrow and cocks head* Unusual, I'm not sure. I play, and sing, but as do most ladies of the court. I read, but as do most of the intelligent ladies of the court. Well, I like keeping house, which is something most ladies of any court would scoff at. *straightens* But I scoff at them for not acting like women. I would like to think I'm good at housekeeping, but my servants always seem to somehow do it far better than I whenever they do it.






Me. *rolls eyes* I can think of one. How about nosing into other people's business? You're an expert at that...






Alagna. *blushes again ever-so-slightly* Well, I try not to be - but, well, *indignantly* the masked man was important! In the library, he had -






Me. Yes, I know what he had.  *sighs exasperatedly* You are a terrible busybody. But, if you weren't, then a lot of people would probably be dead, so whatever. *shakes head* Now, what is your deepest fear?






Alagna. *looks away* I... I don't think I have one.






Me. *nods sarcastically* Of course not. If you don't answer on your own, you know I can make you, so you might as well.






Alagna. *bites lip* Well, I really don't know... I have a sinking feeling inside of me sometimes, and... I don't know what it means, I really don't... I don't know what I'm afraid of.

Me. *plainly* I do. Love perhaps...?






Alagna. *sweeps hands out* Of course not - I have suitors, and I have never shied from any of them. And I see men in court all the time, and I never shy from deflecting them from me if I don't want their attentions. I'm not afraid of men. Or love. *nods decisively, as though to assure herself*






Me. *shakes head* Alagna, Alagna... Now, what is your deepest desire?






Alagna. I don't really know that either... *puts hands up frustratedly, biting lip* I suppose I'm not much help answering these - but maybe people should ask simpler questions! And mind their own business, for Heaven's sake.






Me. You are such a hypocrite, Alagna! And I think I know what this one is too... in fact, I think it's the same answer.






Alagna. *straightens* It is not. I have never desired any affections, though get them I may. I never even think about it.






Me. Ugh, Alagna! You don't have to think about something to be afraid of it, or to want it. In fact, your not thinking about it, I think makes it all the more unexpected and unfamiliar.






Alagna. *waves hand flippantly* Next question, perhaps?






Me. Would you sacrifice that desire to prevent that fear?






Alagna. *gasps frustratedly* According to you, they're one and the same! Which makes it a logical impossibility, doesn't it? Next question, please.

Me. Fine, fine. Here's the last of Blue's questions. Would you be the type to throw a cream pie in someone's face?




Alagna. *expression lightens to a coy smile* This question I can answer easily - certainly! I must say it's an odd idea to throw a pie in someone's face, but it sounds like something Francis and Edmond though up... which makes it rather delightful to think of! *laughs* I can just imagine doing it, too...




Me. *laughs* Yeah - strangely enough, so can I. Alright, now these questions are from Catherine Hawthorn. Who or what is your greatest enemy?




Alagna. *frowns slightly* I don't really have any enemies. I don't think there's really anyone I know that comes to mind that I can't at least mostly tolerate, and can't at least mostly tolerate me. But the masked man... if he is truly as dangerous as he bodes to be, then I and the whole country may have an enemy in him.




Me. What is your greatest talent?




Alagna. Playing or singing. Not sure which. Perhaps playing my harpsichord.




Me. What is your favorite flower?




Alagna. A white camellia. It's the most elegant flower I can think of, and I like wearing it in my gowns and hair at balls.




Me. Alright, what's your favorite gown or other piece of clothing?

Alagna. *frowns disapprovingly* That is a rather indelicate question.




Me. Come on, Alagna. In your times it might be, but not in mine, and not in your interviewers'. Please answer.




Alagna. *nods slightly* Then my gold gown, the one -




Me. *nods* Yep. I know the one. The one you're wearing when the story begins - big, billowing skirt, sparkling spectacle, low enough neckline for you to have your bit of jewelry and your hair trailing down your neck. Your preferred genre of ball gown, yes?




Alagna. *smiles reminiscently* Yes, most surely.




Me. Alright, these questions are from Hope. How would you describe yourself?


Alagna. *cocks head coquettishly* 'Spoiled', perhaps - 'elegant'? I think, actually, 'charmed' would be the word. A spoiled girl who loves elegance and has a charmed life that she's rather attached to.


Me. *nods* That sounds about right. Now, what do you like to do that most people would think was odd?


Alagna. Well, like I said before, keeping house. I pleasure in doing it, unlike most nobles. And most women of court would think me odd - if they didn't already for my leaving home before being married.


Me. Which you did exactly for that purpose.


Alagna. *sweeps hands lightly* I didn't do it because I wanted to prove a point - I did it because it sounded nice. I cannot really keep house for my parents - what an odd notion - and I cannot really have my own estates while living in someone else's.


Me. *shakes head* Alagna... Anyways, if you could be any animal, which would it be?

Alagna. *cocks head* A fox, I think. I like them, and they are rather intriguing creatures.


Me. *rolls eyes* Intriguing creatures that just happen to be like you in animal form? Red-colored fur, slender and sleek, nosy, and always sticking themselves in business that doesn't belong to them. Really, Alagna?


Alagna. I never really thought about it that way, I just always liked them!


Me. *shakes head again* Whatever. What is your deepest, darkest secret?


Alagna. *smooths skirts rather irritatedly* I think these people are getting a bit too prying.


Me. Just answer the question, Alagna, eesh.


Alagna. I don't know. Perhaps... perhaps that I really actually do care what other people think, and do care for simplicity, and really wouldn't mind a simpler life. But I doubt that anyone else shall ever know it.


Me. I don't think that's it, but fine. Close enough. The next questions are from Megan - you remember her, right? She was the one that interviewed Edmond a while back... I think...


Alagna. Yes, I think I remember that time.

Patrizio Buanne of the very, very blue eyes. :)

Me. Yeah. Well, anyways, her first question is what do you find more handsome, brown eyes or blue eyes?


Alagna. *frowns* This is another attempt to try and - ! *throws up hands irritatedly* Ugh. Brown, if she must have an answer!


Me. *raises brow sternly* Alagna...


Alagna. *gasps frustratedly* Fine! Blue, then.


Me. *nods, satisfied* I know. Now, are you practical, or a dreamer?


Alagna. Probably a bit of both. Perhaps slightly more on the practical side - I'm perfectly content where I am, so no need for dreams. However, that could also be because every dream of mine that comes to mind I already have.


Me. So you think... Alright, last question. Would you rather live a long and unremarkable life, or a short one filled with glory?


Alagna. *cocks head thoughtfully* I think the former suits me. I am rather unremarkable in my present state, and would be content to live forever in it, so that logically points out the answer for me. Is that all?


Me. *nods* Thanks for your, uh, attempt at cooperation.


Alagna. *flicks hand up dismissively* I wasn't even attempting. Farewell.


Me. *shakes head* Farewell, Alagna.


End Interview.
What did you think? Did you like Alagna? Is she difficult or what...? Ugh... some characters... Anyways, though, the candidates for the next interview are these:

Prince Blakely, Alagna's best friend

Lady Felicia Elmonte, Alagna's cousin

 Prince Francis and/or (depending on common vote of joint or separate interviewing for them) Prince Edmonde, Alagna's close friend(s), and Blakely's younger brother(s).

Vote in the comments, and I'll post a bio for whoever gets the most votes in a little while. :)

Tidbits and Miscellany

I wasn't really sure what to post today, but I had a variety of things that needed said (as it often is), and so here I am, jamming them all into one not-too-neat little post, but there you are. Such are the ways of Belle when she's in a scatter-brainedly ecstatic mood (don't ask me why I am in such a state exactly, I don't believe I could answer you properly... if at all). Maybe it's the fact that I had a plate of cheese and crackers (which I adore). Maybe it's because I've gotten all of my schoolwork done and it's not even two o' clock. Maybe it's because of the prospect of the beautiful sunshine outside that is pretty enough to enjoy but too cold to be pushed out into. I don't know. But. Anyways. I have a few random things to tell you of. First of all,

What has Belle been up to?

A question... I do not usually answer on this blog as a principle. But, as this is labeled 'Tidbits and Miscellany' I think a little unorthodoxy is in order. I have been watching a movie I seem to be fated never to finish (the movies in question being Gunga Din, with Cary Grant). I have started the Oresteian play, Agamemnon, and am enjoying it greatly and even contemplating making it into and opera because would that not be just splendid??? What else. I have embarked upon the brainstorming stage of a new novel, coauthored with a friend (if she is alright with it, late on I may introduce it on here). I have also reached new heights in the word counts of The Pain of a Memory, Alomina, and The Ever-Three (The Second Brother's sequel). I think that's about everything exciting. Oh, yes, actually, I guess I also discovered an amazing new artist (been listening to him non-stop ever since) called Patrizio Buanne. If you like pop, check out his Solo Tu, if you like jazz, check out his Crazy, if you like swing, check out his L'Italiano, and if you like hilarious parodies, check out Home to Mamma. He's really got everything. And with that, anything of interest I had to say, I believe, is said. :) Now, the next thing.

Questions for Alagna? Please...?

So, I'm not really sure what else to do. When I posted the last character bio (of Alagna Arleine, from Alagna), for the purpose of character interviews, nobody asked her any questions. Which is completely understandable, just kinda awkward in my situation. Because with no questions... no interview, unfortunately. Maybe somebody could scrape together a few so that the interviews don't get stopped? I would be very grateful. :) Thanks!

The Second Brother

I have not written even one more word in The Second Brother, but have written immense amounts in the sequel. Why? Who knows? I really, really want to share the beginning of it, but I don't think I will just yet. However, there is something else of it that I will share - a surprise at the bottom of the post. *mysterious smile* ;)

What's Ahead?

Within the next several posts, here's what you can expect if you want spoilers:

• Character interview (if Alagna gets enough questions)
• The next part of The Pain of a Memory
• Possible another Meet the Books! feature
• Tags, tags, tags
• Snippets of a story

Just for those who were curious to desperation, haha. ;)

The Surprise

You probably skipped ahead to this, didn't ya? Oh well. I wouldn't really mind even if anyone did, because I'm very eager to show this off. :)
https://www.playbuzz.com/bellea15/which-quester-from-the-second-brother-are-you
Tell me who you got and if you liked it! :D
Any questions for Alagna? Any questions about what posts are coming up? Any questions concerning the quiz? Any suggestions for movies after I finally finish Gunga Din? ;) 



Of Unlikely Beginnings and a Possessive Mother's Rants

Recently, yet another reader commented on the fact that my main WIP, Alomina, is almost finished. WAAAAAAAA!!!!!! And... like the possessive mother that I am, I lamented. Because I have a complex about finishing the story. I don't want to finish it because it feels like it's my baby growing up. Which I don't want to happen, naturally (again, I'm a very possessive mother. Heaven help my actual kids someday). :P But, as often happens with mothers, in thinking of my babies growing up, my thoughts reverted to memories of their beginnings...
Actually, most of my stories began absolutely nothing like they are now. Let's just say my babies changed a whole lot over the years. In fact, let me show you...

***

Alomina walked up the spiraled staircase, to her brother's room. He had been absent all day, and for days had gone out little. She finally reached Percy's room. She took a deep breath, knocked, and entered. Percy had his back to her, gazing at the window. Then he seemed to sense her presence, and he quickly turned around. Alomina nearly gasped. Her brother's usually strong face was thin and pale, and his dark brown eyes were deeply set with shadows under them. His hands were cold and thin-looking, his cheekbones were set even higher against his face than usual, and his slightly-curled dark brown hair was untidy and distraught-looking.

"Yes, what is it?" Even his voice sounded exhausted and depressed.

"It - it is time for supper", Alomina said, and then she hurried out of the room to stop herself from crying.

Percy was pining for her! - a girl he'd been with some nights ago... Alomina choked a sob and started going down the stairs. Oh, why did he have to fall in love with that girl?! He was eating less, sleeping less, speaking little, and staying in his room. Why did this have to happen?! Alomina shed another tear. She hated that lady, who had made her Percy this way. Alomina knew that she could never rest until this was ended...

***

Hahaha, and what you just read was the mostly unfiltered original idea scene for Alomina (from a little over three years ago). ;) Wanna know what happened? Celeise, cruel and heartless beauty that she was in this draft (who never actually made an appearance in what I wrote), lured Percy to her side and then broke his heart, abandoning him to the dust scornfully. Then Alomina finds out, gets furious for Percy, and she goes and secretly murders Celeise. Then chaos outbreaks, because Celeise is the princess, and then Percy finds out Alomina did it, he confronts her with angry reproach, and Alomina kills herself shortly afterwards in guilt and sorrow (with a confession), leaving Percy alone now mourning even more, and the blame is put on him for Celeise's murder and he is executed. Haha, cheerful right? And exactly like it is now, too, huh? ;) I can practically see the jaws dropping here (except that I've probably told this story a bajillion times, right?). :) Little, timid Mina, murderous? Suicidal? Celeise, a cruel despot of hearts? Haha, it's always hilarious to me when I think about it. Also, Percy's original name was Romero (because I planned on connecting the story to a play I had written, in which the main character's name was Romero). But my best friend and writing confidante - well, she didn't think it was such a good idea to connect them, and even requested that I write them separately. And, whether begrudgingly or willingly, I usually listen to her (because she is just about always right in these matters somehow), and so I changed his name to Percy and decided to write it as a separate story (which is good, because I trashed said play within the next few months of writing that first Alomina scene).

And so a new drama was born, called Alomina after the tragic (and melodramatically off) heroine. And then, somehow, as I started writing it, developing that deep bond between Percy and Alomina (to later be cultivated in her murdering someone for him, lol), it started dawning on me. These two are too good. Their bond just started coming through so brilliantly, I couldn't destroy it. I started thinking. This lady wouldn't murder anybody! This guy wouldn't allow it! These two can't get broken up! (In truth, they were actually mostly boring and void of personality characters at that time in the writing, but in my head they were much more vivid.) And so as I wrote the ball scene where the heartless beauty and Percy were supposed to meet, I broke off with all my previous plans. And I reverted to an old movie. What's the best way to bring a couple together? Make them fall apart. And so on their very first meeting, Percy and Celeise fought (mostly Celeise, though). And then I had to improvise (because I had just on a whim thrown away an entire nicely planned-out storyline). So I made Alomina meet somebody too. And he was supposed to make it still dramatic. He was the main villain who was against Percy and Alomina, and Alomina would fall in love with him and story could still be a drama. But then... I fell in love with him too somehow. So I took apart that plot as well, making a new main villain (and no weird murderous romances going on). But Montefore - as the original villain was called - remained a villain, just not the main one (which, of course, makes him more likeable). And from there, I'm sure you can see where it went. :)

And that's just Alomina.

Alagna also came from highly unlikely roots. I went out for ice-cream with my best friend/writing confidant (poor her - she was witness to all my dumb and crazy story ideas, haha). ;) And I had an idea for a poem.

Alas, she fell, to live no more -

For love a price she paid.

And all have told in ancient lore

The terror of that crimson blade.

The dramatic second-to-last stanza of a mini-epic poem. The poem - which later became a saga of long poems to be continued for a while - became an ancient Tresintan (yes, the country in Alomina) legend, called the Ellian the Fair (followed by The Tale of Ellian, Ellian's Demise, and last but not least, the Ballad of Ellian). It was a very cheesy poem, yes, but it's what Alagna takes roots from. When I played a game of "10-Page Story" (exactly what it sounds like) not long after, I used Ellian's tale again. Which was basically the tale of the most beautiful woman in the world who was desperate for true love - which no one gave her - and spurned most suitors because of this - driving one of them out of his mind - and then finally found a true love in the one man in her life that had never been her suitor before - only to be stabbed and killed by said insane suitor the night before her wedded bliss was to take place.

I know - hilarious, right? :P But there was this one adorable scene between her and King Edgar (who was said Mr. Right) when he was talking to her, and once I had trashed Ellian's story, my best friend (again right about my stories - as always) reminisced about that adorable scene lovingly. Of course, I was surprised that anything out of that story could be worthwhile, but I trusted the all-knowing oracle friend of mine once more and took that one scene. I changed the people, changed the names, and changed the background. And it was a miracle.  It was a brand-new story. So I then began the story from its proper beginning with these new characters, and it became Alagna (actually, there are several nods to Ellian's story within Alagna, which most people don't - and aren't meant to - know the back story of. For instance, there is a scene where Alagna is singing, and she sings a ballad - the Ballad of Ellian, in fact, which was the last and only one even relatively worth salvaging of the Ellian poem saga. And then Blakely's looks; he was based off of Edgar - although, unlike Edgar, is not any more than in his fancies beyond friendship with Alagna in the story). Also, in the very first prototype Alagna scene, it was spelled as a Nova-Italianization of Ellian's name, Elagna (but then my best friend took interest very vehemently in the story and insisted Alagna's name be spelled with an 'A', which I allowed and then later absolutely loved... I am lucky my best friend is so opinionated, haha). :P

And then the story of The Pain of a Memory. It started out as me cramming all my writing prompts into one story as well as I could and improvising completely other than that, but somehow it turned out as one of my neater, more put-together novels. Also, originally Rogan was going to reform and marry Anwynne. Weird. And kinda gross. :P But in defense of that, he was little younger in my head then, too. He's better as a villain, trust me. ;) Also, Angelo was going to be not that good, but then it started sounding too much like another novel of mine... *cough cough Alomina cough* Now, Angelo is pretty loveable. Can't wait for you guys to meet him! :)

Anywho. I could tell you a good few more stories about my babies, but I won't bore you so. I suppose the vague point of this rant post is that no matter how bad or weird your stories start out, they can change immensely. So don't trash them. Just... work on them. Who knows, they may be the best book you've ever written with some work! :) After all, on my side,

• Alomina de Blyrwen of Alomina was originally a suicidal murderess
• Celeise of Alomina was originally a cruel heart-collector
• Alagna was originally based off of an epic poem chronicling the assassination of a ridiculously pestered and exaggerated princess
• Blakely from Alagna originally existed because of a simple scene in which a sweet guy said "I love you" very cheesily
• Rogan from The Pain of a Memory was once a romantic interest for the person that despises him most now in the story
• Percy de Blyrwen's name was originally Romero, and he was originally Spanish (<---WEIRD)
• I used to end all my stories with everybody either committing suicide or getting murdered or being miserable for the rest of their puny lives because everyone else around them did those former two options

So! Just remember that a story can change pretty darn drastically - believe me, I know! ;) And... also remember how much a proud mother can rant about her children... :P
What did you think? Were you bored? Do you feel the same way about your characters? Am I the only one thinking that a movie (preferably containing Gary Cooper) sounds amazing right now? ;) (P.S. Yay! I just had my birthday today, and I am now convinced that my sister can make the most delicious and filling cakes on the planet - ever hear of her, you have to try her goods!) ;D

Bio of Alagna Arleine

Hi! Sorry it took so long for this bio to get put up (honestly, I had forgotten about character interviews completely in the excitement of posting The Pain of a Memory). Today, it's Alagna, from her self-titled book. The last interview and bio are here and here (of Princess Celeise from Alomina).
Name: Alagna Arleine (she is nominally Lady Alagna Arleine, but has no true title as her parents are both still living).
Age: 19 (and it's only due to her independent spirit and pure stubbornness that she's not married yet at this age).
Nationality: Um... good question. :P I haven't actually decided which country in my world to make the main country in Alagna. All I know is that she's from the main country, which (as I did in introducing the story) I shall call Homeland, and I'll call the other one (the Italian-based country) Nova Italia. Anyways, though, she's from Homeland.

Height: 5'7.
Hair color: Dark reddish-chestnut, but more to the red side.
Eye color: Mixed. A blue-ish, silver-ish, violet-ish color (and I totally chose it as a novelty because I had a friend with the same color eyes).
Title(s): Lady (only for being noble - she is not an actual Lady by official title).
Family: Her parents (living, just in a different part of the country); her aunt, Andra Arleine, and her uncle (who I'm not sure is even living yet, because he never is mentioned or makes an appearance); her cousins, Alexander and Felicia; Felicia's husband, Alistair. She actually is one of my characters with more of a family (though she has no siblings). 

Bio:
Alagna Arleine was born in a long-noble family, long very close advisors and friends to the royal family. She was perhaps a bit spoiled as a child, but she didn't like it and so (thankfully) was never a brat or anything. In growing up, due to her family's close relations with the royal family, her best friend from the age of eight or nine was the oldest prince, Blakely (and he still is). She was always very social, though, and had strong connections already at the age of eleven. Her other friends growing up, though, were her cousins, bashful Alexander, and bubbly Felicia, who - though they knew her before Blakely did - never were quite as close to her for some reason, though close they were.

Alagna always liked grandeur and beauty, and had a fancy for anything really beautiful. As a child, music was her greatest love, and by time she met Blakely she was already any court lady's equal in playing. However, even though she was a perfect court lady in such things as manners, opinion, parentage, skills, and social life, she had a very independent streak in her, and left her parents - though yet unmarried still - at the age of seventeen to acquire her own estates (which she did), which  - believe me - is a very unorthodox thing to do in medieval times, whether in the high or low social circle. She didn't really have much a reason, either, rather than not liking to be spoiled and wanting to live independently. :P But such was the character of Alagna.

She was always somewhat nosy, though, especially being so social - never quite a gossiper, perhaps, but often toing the line. her popularity in high society only increased the popularity of her family in the royal court, and it has long been hoped (not subtly at all) and voiced (definitely not subtly) that she should marry one of the princes - primarily Blakely, who is the eldest and first in line for the throne. But, despite the people's (and the court's) wishes, Alagna has no designs on being queen (nor any desire to marry her best friend) - again, another illustration of her rather hard-headed independence. Neither has she any thought of suitors or courtship presently (though the suitors feel differently, to say the least). Alagna's life has been the high social life for most of it, and she really can't imagine anything else. And, up to the beginning of the story, she doesn't have to...

I think that about brings Alagna's glamorous life up to date. She has had a charmed life up to now, hasn't she? Everything velvet and gold and grand, you know (in fact, if you were to see my Alagna Pinterest board, you would indeed see an aesthetic of only exactly those things).

Anyways, that it for now. What did you think of her? I'll interview her soon, so put any and all the questions you can think of for Alagna in the comments, and I will use them in her interview. Thanks! :D 

Beautiful People - Blakely (And Brothers)

Hello! I am so excited that Beautiful People is back!!! I was so sad when it was down in April... (granted I didn't have time to do it anyways, but... I was still sad). :P Anyways, this lovely little link-up is hosted by Cait and Sky, for the purpose of developing characters... and of course getting to rant about your beautiful little ink-and-paper people. ;) So, without further ado, I bring you my beautiful person for this month, Prince Blakely of an unnamed country... with a side appearance of his two irrepressible brothers, Francis and Edmonde.

1. Overall, how good is their relationship with their parents?
Well, Blakely is very, very close to his mother. All three of them are, but Blakely particularly. The three princes love their mother very, very much, even though they show it in different ways. Blakely - more by helping her, and being her confidant. Queen Gianna (their mother) relies on Blakely much at times, because the age is very dangerous, and Blakely is not only wise for his years, but incredibly like his father, and strong in character. Francis and Edmonde show their love in more teasy, affectionate ways, though, such as bringing her flowers, giving her a kiss, teasing her, pretending to worry her, or by play-bothering Blakely around her. Their relationship with their father was fairly close, too, though I suppose that they are closer to their mother because she has been the only one around for about seven years. Their relationship with their mother perhaps blossomed more because of it. But it may also be because of other difficulties. You see, Queen Gianna isn't incredibly old, and is still (as she always was) rather pretty (not to mention being a widowed queen) and so, occasionally, she receives a suitor or two in the palace. It makes the princes rather angry, especially since Gianna has absolutely no interest in any such thing. She, of course, can take care of herself, and is polite, but unyielding to the suitors, merely humoring. However, despite this, the princes, especially the two younger, get extremely suspicious for her, and dislike her suitors (particularly because most of them only want the throne). There is one particular foppish courtier that, while he never outright does anything about it, rather treats the queen in an enamored way, and it irks the princes. Duke Roanwall (that's his name) is also a rather foppish fool, and presumes to be a close advisor to the royal family, and always is close in presence, so he especially earns the dislike of the princes. Not to mention, he is aware of what the princes think of him, and is rather uncivil to them because of it. Not that they care as much about that as Roanwall's attentions to their mother. Blakely is mostly respectful to Gianna's suitors (unless they step over boundaries), but has no love of them. Francis and Edmonde, on the other hand, are rather outrightly rude to them at times, and always make clear their feelings on the matter.

Why is it that the only pictures I can ever find to fit Blakely's face are little kid ones?! Oh well. Since this is a parental addition of BP, I guess it doesn't matter as much.

2. Do they know both their biological parents? If not, how do they cope with this loss/absence and how has it affected their life?
Well, their father has been dead for seven years, but they have coped with it well enough through the years. Probably because they have always felt like - without their father - their mother needed their protection, and so they were to comfort her rather than feel sorry for themselves about it. And they have done quite the job protecting her, too, though she doesn't really need it. Blakely particularly has always been a stronghold for his mother.

These two look a bit like Francis and Edmonde, except that they don't look quite enough alike.

3. How did their parents meet?
Blakely's father was coming back from hunting, and a royal party from another country had come to treaty with Blakely's grandfather. With the party had come the rulers' children, including a young daughter. Blakely's father befriended the young princess, and they eventually were courting. Blakely's father liked to joke that when the treating party came, he was absolutely unattached in even the slightest fancying, and once it left, he was already wed. :)
4. How would they feel if they were told “you’re turning out like your parent(s)”?
Blakely would feel very blessed, but of course would deny that he had turned out quite so good as his parents. He has always respected and looked up to them, both his father and his dear mother, and so to even be able to half measure up to them would make him a very good leader, and he believes he would be very blessed to be so. But, I believe that he has already fully measured up to them, and perhaps will one day be even better of a leader and a person.

The king and Gianna.

5. What were your character’s parents doing when they were your character’s age?
Let's see... Blakely is 21, so at that age, Gianna was already married to Blakely's father, and was currently expecting Francis. Blakely's father at that age had just seen Blakely's first birthday, and was crowned king (because Blakely's father was about two years older than Gianna).
6. Is there something they adamantly disagree on?
Not really in Blakely's case. Blakely and Queen Gianna are very much alike in some ways. As for Francis and Edmonde, the only thing they really greatly disagree with Gianna on is the subject of hwo she treats her suitors. Ideally to them, she would just send them away immediately, without any formalities or civilities.

Okay, this looks EXACTLY like one of them as a kid (especially Edmonde).

 7. What did the parent(s) find hardest about raising your character?
Blakely was easy-peasy to raise, because he was almost just like his mother, and the only things he differed in made him an even more loveable child. Francis and Edmonde... Well, let's just say their pranking on people (particularly their pet teasing-subject, Blakely) got them into trouble a good few times (despite the fact that, unless it went too far, Blakely also thought it was funny).
8. What's their most vivid memory with their parental figure(s)?
Blakely - when his father first was teaching him to fence. He remembers very well the first time he caught his father in a moment of hesitation and won the duel, while Gianna stood by and watched her Blakely smilingly. It's a memory that always causes Blakely to smile, and often causes him to become rather distracted in thought. Francis and Edmonde mostly share memories, for it was (and is) rare that they're apart for any space of time. Francis, though, remembers best a time when his father wouldn't let him into his parents' room, and kept preventing Francis from going in there. However - beyond all odds - Francis broke his way in. Gianna was in there, in bed holding little newborn Edmonde. She sighed, laughed a little and beckoned for Francis to come and see his new brother. Only seconds later, Francis' father arrived on the scene looking for Francis, ready to scold him. But, on seeing, the little scene, smiled, and relented, letting Francis stay to see his new sibling. Edmonde jokingly claims to remember this, but of course he doesn't, as Francis well knows.

This looks exactly like a young Queen Gianna.

9. What were they like as a baby/toddler?
Blakely was a very quiet baby, and for a while his parents wondered if he even could speak. Soon enough, he showed that he indeed could, but was more a thoughtful sort than a talkative sort. Francis and Edmonde, on the other hand, were quite opposite to this. They were always either talking or getting into something or other.
10. Why and how did the parents choose their name?
Blakely's name is an older name of the country with an irrelevant meaning (it means 'blackened', but - as I said - its meaning is irrelevant as to why it was chosen). They chose it for a different meaning. A neighboring country (which in the introduction of this story, I temporarily named Nova Italia) has a similar name, Belicilio, which means 'beautiful heavens'. Gianna, very young at the time she had Blakely, is now ever-so-slightly embarrassed to admit that she chose this similar name for him because of his very blue eyes, which reminded her of the 'beautiful heavens'. Blakely's father never ceased to tease her about that little fancy. ;) As for Francis and Edmonde, they were merely noble names of the country chosen because Gianna thought they were nice, innocent-sounding names (hah, you can see that names don't always match the person they are for, as time showed for Francis and Edmonde).
Well, that wraps it up, sadly. :( But there'll be another one next month! :D Also, by the by, there will not be a Catholicism Explained tomorrow because, due to celebration of two of my brothers' birthday, I did not have time to finish it, and I will be gone all day tomorrow. Sorry! :P But, what did you think of this Beautiful People? What do you think of Blakely? What about his two, ah, brothers? ;) Which of the three do you like best? Did you do Beautiful People this month? :) Tell me all about it! :D

Meet The Books! - Alagna

Hey! Yes, more Meet The Books!, I know! And this time it didn't take as long?! What?! Belle didn't procrastinate?! Is anybody else super surprised by this?! ;) Well, today I'm proceeding to the next of my stories, which I started the spring of 2016, I think. Um, April, to be exact (while on vacation in Florida). The previous Meet The Books! feature can be found here. And I am soooo sorry for not posting for so long. I was gone a good time longer than I had expected, and had no way of getting back to my lovely audience here. Sowwy!!!! :'( And I'm expecially ashamed because I missed two chances for CE posts. Please forgive, and I will be better next time, I assure you! Ahem. Anyways, I guess I'll continue to introduce Alagna, possibly my personal favorite of all my stories.

What is the genre?

Originally, it was quite as genre-less as Alomina, but now, ever since I shortened the beginning period before the action, I believe it just might qualify as Action/Adventure.

What is the title? Time period?

The title, well, aha.... hehehehe... :P *grins sheepishly* Well, I'm afraid it has no title. I just call it Alagna, after the heroine. If anybody in my audience has any title ideas for either this one or Alomina, I would be incredibly grateful, and would consider any suggestions at all! The time period for it is sort-of a late medieval (think 1300's - 1400's range). Basically just a slight later than my usual time period in writing.

How is it written (Point of view, MC, etc.)?

Well, it's written in third person limited with main and secondary viewers. The main viewer in POV, also the main character, is Alagna Arleine. The secondary viewers are Prince Blakely, Queen Gianna, and Raspardi Oliongra.

Who are the characters?

Haha, this used to be a problem with the story. Character overpopulation was the biggest issue with it at the time... haha, wish that was the only issue now... :P However, one character was deleted, and two given much smaller appearances, so now it's not really a problem. I would think that I would be devastated to delete a character, but it felt like she wasn't really a character. It kinda felt like she was just words, and not a person. Which is why she's gone, I suppose. Plus, she was super plagiarized off of a character in my best friend's civil war story, come to think of it. Now, the main characters are as follows:

Alagna Arleine, the heroine. She's a noblewoman of, well, uh, let's call it 'homeland', because it's the main country and it's undecided right now. So, anyways, she's a noblewoman of homeland, and a rather independent one at that. In fact, she's perhaps a slight too hot-headed and independent at times. She lives in her own estates without her family, even though she is neither disowned nor married. This is only one example of her independence and contrariness in nature. She is also incredibly curious (I would use the word 'nosy' even), and she is one of my characters who genuinely irritates me sometimes for her disregard to safety and common sense when she is curious. I guess she's kind-of like a medieval detective-lady after some fashions. :P She has chestnut-red hair, and eyes of a mixed shade, this shade dubbed 'the color of starlight', it being a mix of blue, silver, and pale violet (I didn't even know this eye color existed until I got to know somebody in the South with this blended color of eyes. So of course, it being a rarity and novelty, I had to have it for one of my characters). ;)

Prince Blakely is Alagna's best friend, and also the oldest prince of homeland. He's quiet and gentle in nature, and always has a moment to spare for Alagna, despite his manifold duties and worries. Often it's Alagna that aids his mind when he is worried over something. He pays much attention to Alagna, but sometimes more than she will allow. Alagna knows he likes her, but it's not too seriously taken, because she knows he's still a boy at heart. He is the crown prince, and is constantly trying to learn to be a better king, because he is extremely dutiful. He's exceptionally tall, at the height of six foot four, has bright blue eyes and almost honey-ish blond hair.

Haha, unfortunately another Pinterest calamity happened - the only picture I could find to fit Blakely was one of him as a little boy! ;) Oh dear... :P

Prince Francis and Prince Edmonde are Blakely's rather roguish younger brothers. No one would believe they're not twins, even though they're a year apart. In fact, they're often called the 'Almost Twins' because they're so incredibly close in age, looks, and character. Somewhat mischievous at times (meaning, all the time), and possessed of a special love for teasing Blakely, particularly concerning his soft spot for Alagna. They treat Alagna like a sister, and don't leave her out of the teasing either. They look, for the most part, like Blakely, except that Edmonde has emerald-green eyes rather than blue. (And, by the way, even though I spelled it the French way, Edmonde's name is still just pronounced 'Edmund', like normal.)

Felicia... except too sad-seeming. (Sorry, have no pics of Francis or Edmonde.)

Lady Felicia Ellmonte is Alagna's cousin and best friend. She's very spirited to be sure, but can get a bit concerned with some of Alagna's schemes. For the most part, she teases and plot just as much, though, unless of course she thinks it will get her in serious danger. She has rather large aquamarine eyes, is of a small build, has caramel-ish-colored hair, and is rather exceptionally pretty. She is somewhat newly married at the beginning of the story to her husband,

Lord Alistair Ellmonte, a rather studious young nobleman who is devoted to his wife... though most may not gather it from his quiet and secluded manner. Somehow, despite his seeming obliviousness to the rest of the world, he has many friends, and it is one of Felicia's favorite things to teasingly puzzle aloud over this fact. He often seems like he isn't paying attention, but, if asked something, is usually found to be surprisingly aware. He has black hair and blue eyes.

Queen Gianna, a troubled widow-queen, the mother of the princes, and a very pressured monarch in potentially explosive times. She is of a more quiet nature, but never ceases to listen to, heed, or even ask the advice of her strong eldest son. She is uncannily tall for a queen, of very impressive bearing, has honey-ish blond hair with brown-ish streaks, and emerald-green eyes.

Baron Rimande Dontola, a gentlemanly foreign friend of Alistair's from, uh, let's call it Nova Italia, because it's an Italian-based country without a name. A friendly character, but possibly in unconscious danger. Exotic in both accent and looks, with dark hair and darker eyes.

Alexander Arleine is the only young member of the family besides Alagna who is unmarried, being her cousin and Felicia's younger brother. He has around the same color hair as Felicia, but otherwise looks very little like her, being tall in build, with brown eyes, and very simple but keen features.

Lady Arleine is the rather irritating mother of Alexander and Felicia, and Alagna's aunt. A matchmaker to the fullest extent, especially for Alagna.

Duke Roanwall is a foppish courtier close to the royal family. Close for what reason exactly, no one quite knows, because the princes (particularly the younger two) dislike him, and the queen only pays him polite attention. Despite the queen's mere civility, though, the younger brothers believe that Roanwall is trying to court their mother (thus some of their reason for disliking him so).

Raspardi Oliongra, or, as he is known in homeland as Raspard Olnier, is a Nova Italia foreigner quite apparently trying to conceal his foreign identity. He has been seen around many places at unusual times, and Alagna suspects him of having something to do with a disaster early in the story.

What does the plot consist of?

Eh... eh, hehehehe... Well... The plot - to put only the barest part of the main plot into words - is about a complex conspiracy. A conspiracy against - spoilers! ;) Yeah, I'm not gonna say what against. But it's a conspiracy/rebellion basically that at first glance seems only against the throne. However, add this happening to about a million little sub-plots and extra complications, and you've really got the plot. The story used to have no plot, but now... Well, let's just say that it's now to the point where drawing a plot diagram of it looks like this:

Catch my drift? :P

What is the setting?

The setting is a late medieval high society. *starts singing the song from the Frank Sinatra movie, High Society* Ahem. Anyways, it is mostly higher society, anyways. I do have some scenes that aren't in ballrooms or great palaces and estates, so don't think it's all highbrow street. (Even though it mostly is...)

Who are the favorite characters in it?

Well, besides myself, I only have one reader for this story, and that's my reader who reads all my stuff. Actually, another of my readers read a sneak-scene from this story, just not the actual thing as of yet. My personal fav, and my one reader's fav is Prince Blakely. Although, she keeps changing her mind about whether she really likes or really despises Dontola. At the moment she likes him still, I believe. Most of us who know the story like Alagna,, but everybody gets frustrated with her, including me.

What is the favorite scene?

Well, like I said, one of my readers has only read one scene, so I'm not sure. However, the other one likes any scene with Blakely, and I believe her particular favorite is the scene where Blakely is introduced. Although... I also distinctly remember her mentioning the ball scene when the disaster happens too, so maybe that's it.

Any themes of music for this work?

Well, I listened to the opera Carmen a whole lot writing it when it was in the early stages (maybe this is why Alagna frustrates me so? Maybe she unconsciously took on some Carmen-like qualities...?). Now, I mainly listen to either the soundtrack to Disney's 2015 Cinderella (my go-to instrumental writing music), or one of Blakely's themes. Don't ask why, but even though he's not the main character, he has two character themes. They are More, by Andy Williams (who is really the best singer for dramatic characters themes), and It's Impossible, also by Andy Williams, even though Vic Damone's and Robert Goulet's versions are both also acceptable (this song was Blakely's theme before More, but I disagree with a few of the lyrics to it, so I say More is more Blakely's theme). ;) I think writing to the music from Captain America: Civil War would also fit it really well, but unfortunately I do not have that soundtrack.

How's its progress?

It's midway through the seventh chapter, but it has seriously long chapters. Like ten pages or longer. In the notebook that is. In the typed version, it's incomplete, and only at four chapters or so, I believe (though better quality writing). And... I have been so lazy and so unwilling to move on to another notebook that I still have not re-written the written version to delete Grace (that being the name of the guilty plagiarized character). In the notebook, I think she still exists. In the typed version, though, she's gone already.

Any snippets...?

 

 Alagna rolled her eyes, and asked, "What have you two been up to? Nothing too proper, I would wager"

Francis merely smiled and ignored the question.

***

She smiled at them both, and they grinned back, their grins almost implying that they knew something she didn't, and they thought it was terribly amusing. Not exactly unusual looks for those two...

***

"Good evening", Roanwall said stiffly to the princes with an abrupt bow of respect.

Blakely bowed in return politely, Francis nodded expressionlessly, and Edmonde's jaw tightened slightly but he said nothing.

***

Once the duke was gone, Blakely walked over to Alagna and opened his mouth as though to speak, but was interrupted by Francis.

"I'd say it's about the time for Blakely to say 'A walk about the garden would be nice'", he said, looking up at the clock as if he were waiting for something.

"Hear, hear! I'd say you're late, Blakely, old man, usually you've asked her by roughly three seconds ago ", said Edmonde, who had caught up, and was now also pretending to contemplate the time.

***

"Shall we escape from these two fools?", said Blakely in play-exasperation, gesturing towards Francis and Edmonde, who in turn tried to look as innocent as possible.

 Alagna laughed and then took Blakely's extended hand. "Why of course, as my lord would wish it", she said , smiling playfully.

***

Alagna played the tune even faster, and they tried to keep up, but then Felicia and Alexander both stopped dancing and collapsed laughingly onto the couch. Alagna finally ceased to play.

"Alright, Lagna, you win", said Felicia resignedly.

Alagna laughed playfully. "I'm glad you admit it"

***

Felicia smiled naughtily over at her brother. "Well, at least you play better than Alexander..."

Alexander made a face. "Very well and amusing, Felicia, but I have gotten better!"

Felicia pretended to be pleasantly shocked. "Oh really? How much better, may I ask?"

Alexander grinned. "Well enough to sound as though a horse was charging the instrument"

They all laughed. "Well", Felicia mused after a moment. "That is a small improvement, at least. It used to sound as though a herd of cattle were trampling it!"
***

Alagna glanced into the grand hall as she entered. Blakely stood there as if waiting, but not hopefully so. He saw Alagna and, though he did not entirely smile, his face seemed to brighten at the sight of her.

***

Blakely kissed her hand and gazed off into the distance thoughtfully. Alagna cleared her throat slightly, and Blakely 'snapped' back into reality, letting her hand go almost sheepishly.

***

Alagna and Blakely strolled into the small room. Francis was there, sitting in a kind-of daydreaming-ish way. On noticing them enter, Francis stood up, bowed to Alagna, and resumed his seat after kissing her hand.

 

Blakely nodded to Alagna, and gestured out the door plainly. "I think this room is taken"

Francis laughed. "Oh, come, come, Blakely, I don't mind you, old man, and I certainly don't mind the lovely lady"

***

"Oh, hello, Edmonde" Alagna smiled at him vaguely. "Ah, aren't you supposed to be receiving guests?"

Edmonde shrugged lightly. "You're a guest, and I'm receiving you"

***

Yeah... that's almost everything from the typed document. I really wish that the rest was typed up, because it had some good potential snippets, but unfortunately it's only in the notebook. And I couldn't find any snippets that had Queen Gianna, because most of the good scene with her are not typed up. Agh! Why are over half of these Francis and Edmonde scenes?! Apparently they're the characters in this who talk the most. :P

Any Drawings?

Well, only a couple. I have some azaleasdolls.com pictures of them, and then one drawing of Alagna by me.

Felicia (left), Alagna (middle), and Baron Dontola (right). I'm not altogether pleased with how the neckline of Alagna's dress turned out, but oh well.

Alagna and Blakely. Unfortunately, there was not a good hair color for Blakely, so I had to make his hair very light yellowy, which looks wrong.

This one's fun. This actually isn't a pic for Alagna's story, but Alagna is in this picture. It's a picture of me and my characters (some of them). From left to right it's Alagna Arleine, Count Montefore (from Alomina), Rosanne Arnough (from The Top-Hat Gang), Belle Anne herself, Vic Vance (from In Greater Hands), Princess Celeise (from Alomina), Lord Percy (from Alomina), and Lady Mina (also from Alomina).

Strong point in story?

Well, the action starts up really quick for one of my stories, so I suppose that's a strong point, at least in comparison to its fellows. But I think its strongest point is its feeling, I suppose. While it is fairly light in emotion in the beginning, as it goes on, more and more things happen, and the feeling seems (at least to me) to just almost surge out in waves right into the reader (but, that could be just me, because I am the writer).

Weak point in story?

The weak point is definitely the communication of all the sub-plots. I have trouble getting down to writing when things get over-complicated in stories, and end up just avoiding the book for a while, and this is definitely happening with Alagna. There are so many plots and sub-plots that, well... you saw my attempt at a rough plot diagram... :P So, I feel like I'm just avoiding putting them into writing at all, and so the story is seeming under-developed plot-wise, even when in my head it's of such magnitude.

Plans for it?

Well, my plans for it depend on a few things. I definitely plan to have it beta-read sooner or later (by someone other than my writing confidante). And, depending on the opinions and verdicts of my critique partners (and depending on my laziness level), I may post this one for critique on the wonderful Inklings full-novel critique site once Alomina is done being posted there. It would either be this one or In Greater Hands next.

Any particular habits for writing it?

Well, I listen to a lot of music while writing this. This one is probably the most musically-written of all my books. And I occasionally eat chocolate while writing it too. Basically my usual habits, except more so in the case of music.

And... That's about it! I'm very sorry I was gone for so long... :( What do you think? Would you read it? Which up to this point do you think sounds most interesting of the introduced stories? Do you think, of the countries in it, that Homeland or Nova Italia is cooler? Do you have a name idea for either country? :P What about a title idea for Alagna? Who do you think your favorite character would be? Tell me that I'm not the only one with a problem of certain side characters talking too much?! (a.k.a. Francis and Edmonde!) ;)